Formula of the Patriciate.
If we examine the ancient origin of this dignity, we find that the patrician order was originally dedicated to Jupiter, so that the worship of what men then considered the supreme god might hold the place of first rank. But since the Senate deserved something truly exceptional, and the very name "patrician" closely linked itself to the Fathers [patres = senators], the title abandoned its pagan associations and migrated on excellent terms to your assembly — because a priestly distinction rightfully belonged to the conscience of the Senate.
In the same way, you read that kings too were established from the augural order — and rightly so, since it was fitting that those who would handle public law should come from such a background. This is also why the honor itself carries a ceremonial belt, even though the holder exercises no active jurisdiction — wearing the girdle of a judge without performing the judge's function. From this arrangement a perpetual happiness arises, since no anxiety over a successor's ambition need be feared: for once the title is bestowed, it becomes coeval with the man for the remainder of his life — an inseparable ornament, a faithful girdle that does not desert its wearer until he departs from the world.
I believe this was modeled on the pattern of the priesthood from which it originated: priests do not lay down their office until they lay down life itself. The laws, moreover, have conferred such reverence upon patricians that a man holding sacred office, once he has been invested with this honor, is released from the bonds of paternal authority [patria potestas — the legal power of a Roman father over his children] — unless the prince makes special provision to the contrary. This was established for a sound reason: the man who had received the supreme gift of the most precious liberty should not share the degrading condition of those who remained subject to another's power.
The patrician takes precedence over men of prefectorial rank and all other dignities, yielding only to that one eminence which we ourselves sometimes assume [i.e., the consulship held by kings]. Understand, therefore, that this is a lauded dignity — lest we seem to have given too little, or you handle it carelessly by thinking you have received something ordinary. Accordingly, supported by our gift from this indiction forward, ascend to the summit of the patriciate — which certain jurists have held to derive its name from the Fathers — and conduct yourself in all things as befits so great a reverence. For although our clemency has bestowed much, you still have more to aspire to, if you strive to acquit yourself with distinction.
II.
FORMULA PATRICIATUS.
[1] Si antiquitatis ordinem perscrutemur origine dignitatum, patriciorum familia Iovi noscitur fuisse dicata, ut summi dei, sicut putavere, cultura locum primarium possideret. sed quia vos aliquid habere decebat eximium et nomen ipsum patribus magna se vicinitate iungebat, superstitione derelicta ad vestrum coetum optima condicione migravit, quia pontificalis laus conscientiae senatui recte poterat convenire. [2] Sic ex augurali familia reges quoque legitis institutos, non iniuria, quia decuit a tali proposito venire qui publica poterat iura tractare. hinc est quod et honor ipse cinctus est, cum vacaret, nihil iurisdictionis habens et iudicantis cingulum non deponens. in quo felicitas perpetua nascitur, dum successoris ambitio non timetur: nam mox ut datus fuerit, in vitae tempus reliquum homini fit coaevus: ornatus individuus, cingulum fidele, quod nescit ante deserere quam de mundo homines contingat exire. [3] Credo ad similitudinem pontificatus, unde venerat, rem fuisse formatam: qui sacerdotium non deponunt, nisi cum vitae munera derelinquunt. additur quod leges tantam illis reverentiam detulerunt, ut in sacris positus, cum hoc fuerit honore praecinctus, paternae potestatis nexibus exuatur, nisi contra specialiter a principe caveatur. quod constat ratione probabili constitutum, ut qui amplissimum genium pretiosae libertatis acceperat, vilissimam condicionem cum subditis non haberet. [4] Praefectorios et aliarum dignitatum viros praecedit, uni tantum cedens fulgori, quem interdum etiam a nobis constat assumi. proinde necessario laudatam intellege dignitatem, ne aut nos parum dedisse videamur aut tu neglegentius tractes, si te aliquid mediocre suscepisse putaveris. quapropter ab illa indictione nostro munere sublevatus patriciatus culmen ascende, quod quidam iuridicorum a patribus dictum esse voluerunt, facturus omnia quae tantam reverentiam decent. nam quamvis magna contulerit nostra clementia, habes adhuc quod expetas, si te probabiliter tractare contendas.
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Formula of the Patriciate.
If we examine the ancient origin of this dignity, we find that the patrician order was originally dedicated to Jupiter, so that the worship of what men then considered the supreme god might hold the place of first rank. But since the Senate deserved something truly exceptional, and the very name "patrician" closely linked itself to the Fathers [patres = senators], the title abandoned its pagan associations and migrated on excellent terms to your assembly — because a priestly distinction rightfully belonged to the conscience of the Senate.
In the same way, you read that kings too were established from the augural order — and rightly so, since it was fitting that those who would handle public law should come from such a background. This is also why the honor itself carries a ceremonial belt, even though the holder exercises no active jurisdiction — wearing the girdle of a judge without performing the judge's function. From this arrangement a perpetual happiness arises, since no anxiety over a successor's ambition need be feared: for once the title is bestowed, it becomes coeval with the man for the remainder of his life — an inseparable ornament, a faithful girdle that does not desert its wearer until he departs from the world.
I believe this was modeled on the pattern of the priesthood from which it originated: priests do not lay down their office until they lay down life itself. The laws, moreover, have conferred such reverence upon patricians that a man holding sacred office, once he has been invested with this honor, is released from the bonds of paternal authority [patria potestas — the legal power of a Roman father over his children] — unless the prince makes special provision to the contrary. This was established for a sound reason: the man who had received the supreme gift of the most precious liberty should not share the degrading condition of those who remained subject to another's power.
The patrician takes precedence over men of prefectorial rank and all other dignities, yielding only to that one eminence which we ourselves sometimes assume [i.e., the consulship held by kings]. Understand, therefore, that this is a lauded dignity — lest we seem to have given too little, or you handle it carelessly by thinking you have received something ordinary. Accordingly, supported by our gift from this indiction forward, ascend to the summit of the patriciate — which certain jurists have held to derive its name from the Fathers — and conduct yourself in all things as befits so great a reverence. For although our clemency has bestowed much, you still have more to aspire to, if you strive to acquit yourself with distinction.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.